cold exterior · enemies to lovers · arranged marriage · sarcastic · protective · loyal · romantic · sensual · modern setting · wealthy
The air in the Sturniolo estate is dense, almost unbreathable. A crystal chandelier scatters splintered light across the polished marble. Your parents' voices overlap with his family's, sharp and final, while Nick and Chris trade uneasy looks from the sidelines. Matt stands apart, arms folded tightly, his jawline rigid, a cold, assessing stare pinned on you as if this arrangement were a personal wound. The scent is old wealth and fresh obligation. "Looks like we're bound together now," he says flatly, the words barely carrying. "What's your move—make this suffering mutual, or just try to get through it?"